March 28, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Karen F. Doonan, 30, of Newton was cited for following a vehicle too close after striking another vehicle at a stoplight in the 300 block of First Avenue East at 5:41 p.m. Tuesday. Doonan and Alex Jackson Bare, 16, of Newton were traveling east. Doonan said she thought the light had changed and rear-ended Bare’s vehicle. An officer estimated the damage to Doonan’s vehicle at $100 and Bare’s at $800. No injuries occurred, and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

• Cody L. Kessler, 25, of Newton was charged with second-degree theft on Wednesday in connection with a report of stolen property on May 10 at 1750 W. Fourth St. N. Police asked Kessler if they could search his home for stolen property. Police then observed a 73-inch television and a laptop matching the description on the stolen property. Police left to retrieve serial numbers, and during this time, Kessler threw the laptop in the trash. When the officers returned, they noticed the laptop was missing, and Kessler said that he didn’t know where the computer was. After executing a search warrant and finding additional stolen property, Kessler admitted to throwing the laptop in the trash. The estimated cost of the television is $4,000 and the laptop is $350.

• Linda S. Sapp, 57, of Mingo was charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and fifth-degree theft after Newton police were dispatched to Walmart at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on a report of a shoplifter. Employees stated they have been suspicious of Sapp because of earlier incidents. Employees observed her placing items in a bag. She then went through check out but kept some of the items in the bag and didn’t pay for them. She was stopped by employees at the door. The estimated value of attempted stolen goods was $16.26. When police arrived they conducted a search that revealed two baggies of white powder and a glass pipe. Both baggies weighed under one gram.

• Rick L. Wells, 28, of Newton was charged with domestic assault (aggravated misdemeanor) on Wednesday. At 8:43, police arrived at 319 E. Eighth St. N., where the victim, Wells’ wife, had visible injuries, including a scratch on her right shoulder and neck, scrapes to her left forearm, visible red marks on the back of her neck and a small cut and light bleeding from the left corner of her mouth. The victim stated that she attempted to leave and take the children with her when Wells protested. She then took a video game remote, and Wells allegedly came after her for the remote and fought her for it. She stated that she believes this is where she sustained the injuries. She said Wells then threw her phone to the ground when she said she was going to call the police. Wells denied assaulting his wife but admitted there was a small scuffle after she tore his shirt. Police interviewed their 5-year-old daughter, who said “Daddy tackled Mommy in the hallway.” Wells has a previous domestic assault conviction from 2008.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. It is the policy of the Newton Daily News to release the names of individuals charged with a crime who are 16 and older.